Camden Hills State Park is the perfect place to spend a day or two. With cozy campsites and plenty of trails, you can even hike most of the park for free!
Where the Mountains Meet the Sea
Camden, Maine is a pretty magical little town. The protected inner harbor is the home to a fleet of historic sailing vessels, and boutique shops and restaurants cling to the sides of Elm Street through the center of town. Getting out on the water in Camden is very much worth your while, and from out in the harbor you can get a good look at the Camden Hills.
Mount Megunticook
At 1384 feet in elevation, you can’t miss seeing Megunticook from the water, or any clear spot in town. While not terribly tall as mountains go, on the US East Coast this is the 2nd highest coastal point, the highest being Cadillac Mountain at 1528 feet.
Mount Battie
While closer to the harbor and seeming to loom over downtown Camden, Mount Battie is only 780 feet in elevation. What it lacks in height though, it gains in accessibility. If you are looking for spectacular views, but not up for a strenuous hike, there is the Mount Battie auto road. If you do opt for this route, there is a $4-6 per person fee to enter the park, but you can still hike up in very muddy conditions and/or push a stroller up this way. From the top you have access to the rest of the trail network, ample parking, and there is a stone tower that you can ascend for some of the best views of Penobscot Bay possible.
But I really just want a free quick hike
This you can do. The Front Trail on Mount Battie is everything that you could be looking for in a quick hike. It begins at the very end of Megunticook Street in Camden, about 1/2 mile from the Harbor parking lot. While there are only three parking spots available at the actual trail head, there is plenty of parking around town and on the neighboring side streets. This is the most convenient free access point to Camden Hills from downtown.
This is not a trail that you can push strollers up. The 1/2 mile trail gets you from just above sea level to the summit of Mount Battie quite quickly, and can be steep and slick in some places. I have been up this trail while it is covered in snow and ice however, so just go slow and careful and you’ll make it to the top. There are a few spots that involve scrambling, and I hate to have to say it, but you’ll want hiking boots or sneakers. I have seen people attempting with seriously inadequate footwear, likely because 1/2 mile seems like a short easy walk. That’s an easy road to a rolled ankle, or, as I’ve heard from others, having to walk down the auto road and get picked up by friends.
This is one of my favorite free trails in the park system because it opens up the entire park quickly, and pays fast dividends with views. From the top of Mount Battie I often continue through the Camden Hills free trail network up to Mount Megunticook. This trail usually takes roughly an hour round trip, less time if you are a fast hiker. So if you aren’t looking to spend your whole day in the park, this is probably the best time use value. If you are looking for more, keep going past the tower and the parking lot to the rest of the trail system. This Trail Map will help you plan your hike.
The Most direct route to Megunticook is via the Tablelands Trail. This will initially involve a bit of downward hiking from the top of Battie, just make sure to follow the trail blazes and not break out onto the auto road before you are supposed to. The trail crosses the auto road at a small parking lot, so if you do get confused when you get to pavement, look for that. The trail goes down just to the left of the lot. As you head up you can access the Ocean Lookout, which while not as open at the top as Mount Battie, I personally feel has a better view up at 1300 feet. From there you continue on to the summit. The summit can be a little disappointing to some people. There is no real view from here during the summer, but you’ve made it, you’re as high as you are going to be in this park.
Maiden’s Cliff and Barrett’s Cove at Camden Hills
Swim at Barrett’s to cool off after your hike
Now that you have seen spectacular panoramas of the ocean, how about the lake? If you continue to drive up route 52 from downtown Camden, you will come upon Lake Megunticook. The lake is quite large at 1328 acres, and has around 30 miles of shoreline. On your right you will see a small parking lot for the Maiden’s Cliff trail, and on the left, going down towards the water, the entrance to the Barrett’s Cove parking lot on Beaucaire Ave. Parking in either one of these will give you access to the trails and swimming. Both free.
There is no lifeguard on duty at Barrett’s Cove, but the swimming areas are well marked off with buoys, and there is a floating dock that better swimmers can head out to for diving.
Maiden’s Cliff offers some of the best views in Camden Hills
The Maiden’s Cliff Trail across route 52 is another favorite hike of mine. This is one I will typically bring the dogs on during the spring and fall. Foot traffic is generally lighter than on Mount Battie, and you can have a pretty peaceful walk. The trail is not terribly steep in any area, and the views of the lake from the lookout are spectacular.
If you want an even better view, there is a scenic trail that takes you on a loop up to a higher lookout. It then continues down to the actual Maiden’s Cliff lookout. The trail up to the scenic lookout has some fairly steep sections, and can be quite treacherous during the winter. I have had to use my snowshoes as a sled in areas, and you are near cliff edges in several places. During nice weather though, this is one of my favorite hikes, typically has low traffic, and the only place in the park that I have run across a Moose on the trail.
Camden Hills Free Carriage Trail
Another easily accessible trail that you can hike for free is the Carriage Trail. The entrance to this is on Route 52, about 3/4 of the distance from town to the Maiden’s Cliff Trail. You will need to keep a lookout for the green trailhead sign on the side of the road, and park on the shoulder. There is no lot here, but plenty of shoulder space for cars to park. It is a wide and easy trail, offering access to the rest of the trail system. This trail is great for small children and those that are not able to scramble through craggy sections.
Explore the area around Camden Hills
Midcoast Maine has a wide variety of things to offer, from these free accessible hikes through the Camden Hills, to a wide variety of short and long term sailing excursions through the areas harbors. And if you are planning a visit, make sure to have Camden and nearby Rockland on your list. For more tips and travel ideas in this area, check out this post on vacationing in Rockland.
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Thank you for writing this. Helpful as we plan our trip.